[ Reviewed by: Vigil ] - [ Date: Friday,
28th September, 2001 ]
Rapture is a new Single Player unit by
Shaun "[Kona]" Ross and Dustin
"Tronyn" Geeraert. It consists
of several new large levels, and the usual
start and ending arena. The style is described
by the authors as "medieval-Norse",
which really sounds good to me. After all,
it does use textures from the third episode
of Daikatana, which takes place in Norway.
There are four different main levels, the
realms of Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. Rain
Palisade is the one which starts luring
you deeper, to the other realms. A well-done
castle that has been standing for ages,
and it shows. Starting with a very cool
set-piece, then continuing with wet interiors,
the whole level looks very good, like a
real castle, with lots of impressive designs.
After that your journey takes you to Castle
Rapture, A Cross to Bear and Storm Dungeon.
The other levels are also large and complex,
perhaps with the final one as an exception,
as it is more like an ending arena than
a full level.
A well-done story unfolds as you progress
through the levels. You're Bruce, apparently
a mercenary, sent to cleanse the first castle
from enemies, so human armies may use it
as a staging point. Of course, things are
not as simple as they seem. It's good to
see that authors are putting more thought
into the backgrounds of their levels. Of
course, in the end, it's still mindless
gibbing, this is Quake after all.
With the levels being large and complex,
this time they are full of monsters. Besides
the normal Ogres, Knights and Scrags, there
are modified Knights, Axemen (YUCK!) and
those cool Gremlins from the other mission
pack. If you haven't played the mission
packs, now is a good time to check out the
handy abilities the Gremlins possess. Monsters
usually attack in larger packs, and by the
last two levels, you're going to have react
quickly to new situations. With the constant
flow of monsters, especially in the final
level, you don't have much time to breathe.
In other words, bloody carnage is favoured
here, instead of slower-paced combat. Ammo
is fairly abundant, unlike health and armor,
so watch your step. And last, but not least,
you'll also get your hands on the Mjölnir.
Yes, that lovable hammer that shoots lightning
from Norse mythology. Delicious, simply
delicious.
As a final word, get this pack. Four excellent
levels packed with carnage. An awesome package,
all in one. |